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Abstract:

An apparatus and method are described in which image information is
received from an image sensor relating to one image frame, one or more
sub-images are produced from the received image information according to
given cropping data; and the produced one or more sub-images are
forwarded through an output.

Claims:

1. An apparatus, comprising: an input configured to receive image
information from an image sensor relating to one image frame; and an
image processing circuitry configured to produce one or more sub-images
from the received image information according to given cropping data and
to forward the produced one or more sub-images through an output.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the image sensor and the apparatus
are parts of a camera unit and the output is a camera unit interface
configured to exchange information between the camera unit and a
circuitry external to the camera unit.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the image processing circuitry is
further configured to send image information only with the produced one
or more sub-images.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cropping data further comprises
exposure definition information and the image processing circuitry is
further configured to control the image sensor to produce image
information with exposure time corresponding to the exposure definition.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the image processing circuitry is
further configured to define individual lines of pixels for image capture
for the image sensor to direct the image sensor to provide the image
information of only the lines of pixels needed for the one or more
sub-images.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cropping data contains spatial
resolution information and the processing circuitry is configured to
determine the spatial resolution of the one or more sub-images using the
spatial resolution information.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the image processing circuitry is
further configured to control the image sensor to produce image
information with reduced spatial resolution by skipping analog-to-digital
conversion of picture element detectors not needed for the one or more
sub-images.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the image processing circuitry is
further configured to produce different sub-images with differing spatial
resolutions.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: an image processor
configured to combine two or more sub-images representative of a common
image object and taken at different times and using different exposure
times for forming one or more high-dynamic range images.

10. A method comprising: receiving image information from an image sensor
relating to one image frame; producing one or more sub-images from the
received image information according to given cropping data; and
forwarding the produced one or more sub-images through an output.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein image information is sent only with
the produced one or more sub-images.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the cropping data further comprises
exposure definition information and the method further comprises
controlling the image sensor to produce image information with exposure
time corresponding to the exposure definition.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising defining individual lines
of pixels for image capture for the image sensor to direct the image
sensor to provide the image information of only lines of pixels needed
for the one or more sub-images.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the cropping data contains spatial
resolution information and the method further comprises determining the
spatial resolution of the one or more sub-images using the spatial
resolution information.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising controlling the image
sensor to produce image information with reduced spatial resolution by
skipping analog-to-digital conversion of picture element detectors not
needed for the one or more sub-images.

16. The method of claim 10, further comprising producing different
sub-images with differing spatial resolutions.

17. The method of claim 10, further comprising: receiving the one or more
sub-images from the output; and combining two or more sub-images
representative of a common image object and taken at different times and
exposure times for forming one or more high-dynamic range images.

18. A non-transitory memory medium comprising embodied therein a computer
program comprising: computer code for receiving image information from an
image sensor relating to one image frame; computer code for producing one
or more sub-images from the received image information according to given
cropping data; and computer code for forwarding the produced one or more
sub-images through an output; when executed by a computer.

19. An apparatus comprising: input means for receiving image information
from an image sensor relating to one image frame; and processing means
for producing one or more sub-images from the received image information
according to given cropping data and for forward the produced one or more
sub-images through an output means for outputting information.

Description:

[0002] In digital photography, images are typically formed by passing
light from an object through an objective onto an image sensor such as a
CMOS or CCD unit. The image sensor typically comprises millions of pixel
detectors for forming corresponding pixels of digital images.

[0003] In typical digital cameras, pixels or picture elements are formed
by a camera module using pixel detectors sensitive to three different
main colors (typically Red, Green and Blue). Images are then formed using
the gained pixels. In the forming of the images, image quality is
enhanced by various computational operations such as edge enhancement and
pixel color interpolation. Image files are formed typically with image
compression. Also some adjustments are typically made in white balance,
focus and exposure by controlling the operation of the camera module. The
processing is often distributed such that the camera module produces only
elementary data that is passed over a fast camera module interface to
another processor for heavier calculation.

SUMMARY

[0004] Various aspects of examples of the invention are set out in the
claims.

[0005] The inventor realized that the development of image sensors is
leading to new difficulties in the data transfer of image information
from a camera unit to subsequent use in a camera device. In
battery-operated mobile devices, power consumption is proportional to the
clock frequencies used. The higher speeds, the higher power consumption.
If image sensors develop radically over those presently used in camera
phones e.g. to 40 megapixels and more, the data bus between a camera unit
and its host device should be very fast and/or the image data should be
compressed already in the camera unit.

[0006] According to a first example aspect of the present invention, there
is provided an apparatus, comprising:

[0007] an input configured to receive image information from an image
sensor relating to one image frame; and

[0008] an image processing circuitry configured to produce one or more
sub-images from the received image information according to given
cropping data and to forward the produced one or more sub-images through
an output.

[0009] The image sensor and the apparatus may be parts of a camera unit.
The output may be a camera unit interface configured to exchange
information between the camera unit and a circuitry external to the
camera unit.

[0010] The image processing circuitry may be further configured to send
image information only with the produced one or more sub-images.

[0011] The cropping data may further comprise exposure definition
information. The image processing circuitry may be further configured to
control the image sensor to produce image information with exposure time
corresponding to the exposure definition.

[0012] The image processing circuitry may be further configured to define
individual lines of pixels for image capture for the image sensor to
direct the image sensor to provide the image information of only lines of
pixels needed for the one or more sub-images.

[0013] The cropping data may contain spatial resolution information. The
processing circuitry may be configured to determine the spatial
resolution of the one or more sub-images using the spatial resolution
information.

[0014] The image processing circuitry may be further configured to control
the image sensor to produce image information with reduced spatial
resolution by skipping analog-to-digital conversion of picture element
detectors not needed for the one or more sub-images.

[0015] The image processing circuitry may be further configured to produce
different sub-images with differing spatial resolutions.

[0016] The apparatus may be further comprise an image processor configured
to combine two or more sub-images representative of a common image object
and taken at different times and using different exposure times for
forming one or more high-dynamic range images.

[0017] According to a second example aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a method comprising:

[0018] receiving image information from an image sensor relating to one
image frame; and

[0019] producing one or more sub-images from the received image
information according to given cropping data; and

[0020] forwarding the produced one or more sub-images through an output.

[0021] According to a third example aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a non-transitory memory medium comprising embodied therein a
computer program comprising:

[0022] computer code for receiving image information from an image sensor
relating to one image frame; and

[0023] computer code for producing one or more sub-images from the
received image information according to given cropping data; and

[0024] computer code for forwarding the produced one or more sub-images
through an output;

[0025] when executed by a computer.

[0026] According to a fourth example aspect of the present invention,
there is provided an apparatus comprising:

[0027] input means for receiving image information from an image sensor
relating to one image frame; and

[0028] processing means for producing one or more sub-images from the
received image information according to given cropping data and for
forward the produced one or more sub-images through an output means for
outputting information.

[0029] According to a fifth example aspect of the present invention, there
is provided an apparatus comprising:

[0030] an input configured to receive pixel signals from an image sensor
having a given image sensing area, the image sensor comprising pixel
detectors;

[0031] an output configured to output image information for subsequent
use; and

[0032] an image processing circuitry configured to:

[0033] receive the
pixel signals from the input;

[0034] produce, based on the pixel signals,
a first digital image corresponding to a first region of the image
sensing area;

[0035] produce, based on the pixel signals, a second
digital image corresponding to a second region of the image sensing area;

[0036] cause outputting with the output the first digital images with a
first resolution and first rate; and

[0037] cause outputting with the
output the second digital images with a second resolution and second
rate; wherein at least one of the first resolution and first rate is
higher than respective second resolution and second rate.

[0038] Term resolution may refer to spatial resolution i.e. to the
accuracy in which objects in images are reproduced.

[0039] The image processing circuitry may comprise at least one of a
digital signal processor, a microprocessor, an application specific
integrated circuit and an analog-to-digital converter.

[0040] The analog-to-digital converter may be configured to convert analog
pixel signals into digital pixel signals only for regions belonging to a
region from which a digital image is being produced.

[0041] The first digital images may be allocated more data transfer
capacity than digital images corresponding to an image area outside the
area corresponding to the first digital images.

[0042] The second region of the image sensor area may correspond to the
portion of the image sensing that is usable for producing digital images.
The second region may exclude the first region.

[0043] Bandwidth needed for data transfer may be further reduced by
producing the second digital images such that the image sensing area used
for producing the first digital images is excluded from the second
digital images.

[0044] The image processing circuitry may be configured to maintain region
information. The region information may contain cropping data that
defines the first region. The image processing circuitry may be
configured to receive update instructions and to correspondingly change
the first region. The region information may further contain information
defining the first rate. The region information may further contain
information defining the first resolution.

[0045] The region information may further comprise cropping data defining
the second region. The image processing circuitry may be configured to
receive update instructions and to correspondingly change the second
region. The region information may further contain information defining
the second rate. The region information may further contain information
defining the second resolution.

[0046] The image processing circuitry may be further configured to:

[0047] produce, based on the pixel signals, a third digital image
corresponding to a third region of the image sensing area; and

[0048] cause outputting with the output the third digital images with a
third resolution and third rate;

[0049] wherein at least one of the third resolution and third rate is
higher than respective second resolution and second rate.

[0050] The region information may further comprise cropping data defining
the third region. The image processing circuitry may be configured to
receive update instructions and to correspondingly change the second
region. The region information may further contain information defining
the third rate. The region information may further contain information
defining the third resolution.

[0051] The third region may overlap with the first region. Alternatively,
the third region may be configured to exclude the first region at least
when the first and third resolutions are similar.

[0052] The apparatus may be configured to produce still images.

[0053] The apparatus may be configured to produce video images.

[0054] The apparatus may be configured to concurrently produce video image
of one or more image regions and one or more still images of one or more
image regions.

[0055] According to a sixth example aspect of the present invention, there
is provided an apparatus comprising:

[0056] an input configured to receive information from an image sensor
relating to one image frame; and

[0057] an image processing circuitry configured to produce one or more
sub-images from the received information according to given cropping data
and to forward the produced one or more sub-images through an output.

[0058] The apparatus may be configured to send image information only with
the produced one or more sub-images.

[0059] The output may be a camera unit interface configured to exchange
information between a camera unit that comprises the apparatus and a
circuitry external to the camera unit.

[0060] According to a seventh example aspect of the present invention,
there is provided method comprising:

[0061] receiving pixel signals from an image sensor having a given image
sensing area, the image sensor comprising pixel detectors;

[0062] producing, based on the pixel signals, a first digital image
corresponding to a first region of the image sensing area;

[0063] producing, based on the pixel signals, a second digital image
corresponding to a second region of the image sensing area;

[0064] outputting the first digital images with a first resolution and
first rate; and

[0065] outputting the second digital images with a second resolution and
second rate; wherein at least one of the first resolution and first rate
is higher than respective second resolution and second rate.

[0066] According to an eighth example aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a computer program comprising computer executable
program code, configured to cause an apparatus, when executing the
program code, to perform the method of the second or seventh example
aspect.

[0067] The memory medium may be a non-transitory memory medium. The memory
medium may comprise a digital data storage such as a data disc or
diskette, optical storage, magnetic storage, holographic storage,
opto-magnetic storage, phase-change memory, resistive random access
memory, magnetic random access memory, solid-electrolyte memory,
ferroelectric random access memory, organic memory or polymer memory. The
memory medium may be formed into a device without other substantial
functions than storing memory or it may be formed as part of a device
with other functions, including but not limited to a memory of a
computer, a chip set, and a sub assembly of an electronic device.

[0068] Different non-binding example aspects and embodiments of the
present invention have been illustrated in the foregoing. The above
embodiments are used merely to explain selected aspects or steps that may
be utilized in implementations of the present invention.

[0069] Some example embodiments of the invention may be presented only the
detailed description of this document or in this summary, and/or only
with reference to certain example aspects of the invention. It should be
appreciated that embodiments relating to one example aspect or one
embodiment may apply to other example aspects or embodiments as well.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0070] For a more complete understanding of example embodiments of the
present invention, reference is now made to the following descriptions
taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0071]FIG. 1 shows a schematic system for use as a reference with which
some example embodiments of the invention can be explained;

[0072]FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of an apparatus of an example
embodiment of the invention;

[0073]FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a camera unit of an example
embodiment of the invention; and

[0075] An example embodiment of the present invention and its potential
advantages are understood by referring to FIGS. 1 through 4 of the
drawings.

[0076] Various examples will next be described to illustrate different
example embodiments of the invention. The structures of these embodiments
may be varied in many ways. It is intended to make reference to a
schematic system presented in FIG. 1 in order to present a basic system
in which example embodiments are described, and to then discuss various
operations according to different example embodiments. This detailed
description merely presents some example embodiments of the invention.

[0077]FIG. 1 shows a schematic system 100 for use as a reference with
which some example embodiments of the invention can be explained. The
system 100 comprises a device 110 such as a camera phone, gaming device,
security camera device, personal digital assistant, tablet computer or a
digital camera having a camera unit 120 with a field of view 130. The
device 110 further comprises a display 140. FIG. 1 also shows an image
object 150 that is being imaged by the camera unit 120 and a background
160 such as a curtain behind the image object.

[0078] In FIG. 1, the image object 150 is relatively small in comparison
to the field of view at the image object 150. Next to the image object
150, there is a continuous background 160. While this setting is not by
any means necessary, it serves to simplify FIG. 1 and description of some
example embodiments of the invention.

[0079]FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of an apparatus 200 of an example
embodiment of the invention. The apparatus 200 is suited for operating as
the device 110. The apparatus 200 comprises a communication interface
220, a host processor 210 coupled to the communication interface module
220, and a memory 240 coupled to the host processor 210.

[0080] The memory 240 comprises a work memory and a non-volatile memory
such as a read-only memory, flash memory, optical or magnetic memory. In
the memory 240, typically at least initially in the non-volatile memory,
there is stored software 250 operable to be loaded into and executed by
the host processor 210. The software 250 may comprise one or more
software modules and can be in the form of a computer program product
that is software stored in a memory medium. The apparatus 200 further
comprises a camera unit 260 and a viewfinder 270 each coupled to the host
processor 210. The camera unit 260 and the processor 210 are connected
via a camera interface 280.

[0081] Term host processor refers to a processor in the apparatus 200 in
distinction of one or more processors in the camera unit 260, referred to
as camera processor(s) 330 in FIG. 3. Depending on implementation,
different example embodiments of the invention share processing of image
information and control of the camera unit 260 differently between the
camera unit and one or more processors outside the camera unit. Also, the
processing is performed on the fly in one example embodiment and with
buffering in another example embodiment. It is also possible that a given
amount of images or image information can be processed on the fly and
after than buffered operation mode is used as in one example embodiment.

[0082] It shall be understood that any coupling in this document refers to
functional or operational coupling; there may be intervening components
or circuitries in between coupled elements.

[0083] The communication interface module 220 is configured to provide
local communications over one or more local links. The links may be wired
and/or wireless links. The communication interface 220 may further or
alternatively implement telecommunication links suited for establishing
links with other users or for data transfer (e.g. using the Internet).
Such telecommunication links may be links using any of: wireless local
area network links, Bluetooth, ultra-wideband, cellular or satellite
communication links. The communication interface 220 may be integrated
into the apparatus 200 or into an adapter, card or the like that may be
inserted into a suitable slot or port of the apparatus 200. While FIG. 2
shows one communication interface 220, the apparatus may comprise a
plurality of communication interfaces 220.

[0084] The host processor 210 is, for instance, a central processing unit
(CPU), a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a graphics
processing unit, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a
field programmable gate array, a microcontroller or a combination of such
elements. FIG. 2 shows one host processor 210, but the apparatus 200 may
comprise a plurality of host processors.

[0085] As mentioned in the foregoing, the memory 240 may comprise volatile
and a non-volatile memory, such as a read-only memory (ROM), a
programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only
memory (EPROM), a random-access memory (RAM), a flash memory, a data
disk, an optical storage, a magnetic storage, a smart card, or the like.
In some example embodiments, only volatile or non-volatile memory is
present in the apparatus 200. Moreover, in some example embodiments, the
apparatus comprises a plurality of memories. In some example embodiments,
various elements are integrated. For instance, the memory 240 can be
constructed as a part of the apparatus 200 or inserted into a slot, port,
or the like. Further still, the memory 240 may serve the sole purpose of
storing data, or it may be constructed as a part of an apparatus serving
other purposes, such as processing data. Similar options are thinkable
also for various other elements.

[0086] A skilled person appreciates that in addition to the elements shown
in FIG. 2, the apparatus 200 may comprise other elements, such as
microphones, displays, as well as additional circuitry such as further
input/output (I/O) circuitries, memory chips, application-specific
integrated circuits (ASIC), processing circuitry for specific purposes
such as source coding/decoding circuitry, channel coding/decoding
circuitry, ciphering/deciphering circuitry, and the like. Additionally,
the apparatus 200 may comprise a disposable or rechargeable battery (not
shown) for powering the apparatus when external power if external power
supply is not available.

[0087] It is also useful to realize that the term apparatus is used in
this document with varying scope. In some of the broader claims and
examples, the apparatus may refer to only a subset of the features
presented in FIG. 2 or even be implemented without any one of the
features of FIG. 2. In one example embodiment term apparatus refers to
the processor 210, an input of the processor 210 configured to receive
information from the camera unit and an output of the processor 210
configured to provide information to the viewfinder. In one example
embodiment, the apparatus refers to a device that receives image
information from the image sensor via a first input and produces
sub-images to a second input of an image processor, which image processor
is any circuitry that makes use of the produced sub-images. For instance,
the image processor may comprise the processor 210 and the device in
question may comprise the camera processor 330 and the camera interface
280 shown in FIG. 3.

[0088]FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a camera unit 260 of an example
embodiment of the invention. The camera unit 260 comprises an objective
310, an image sensor 320, a camera processor 330, a memory 340 comprising
data 344 and software 342 with which the camera processor 330 can manage
operations of the camera unit 260. The camera processor 330 operates as
an image processing circuitry of an example embodiment. An input/output
or camera interface 280 is also provided to enable exchange of
information between the camera unit 260 and the host processor 210. The
image sensor 320 is, for instance, a CCD or CMOS unit. In case of a CMOS
unit, the image sensor 320 can also contain built-in analog-to-digital
implemented on common silicon chip with the image sensor 320. In an
alternative example embodiment, a separate A/D conversion is provided
between the image sensor 320 and the camera processor 330.

[0089] The camera processor 330 takes care in particular example
embodiments of one or more of the following functions:

[0090] Pixel color interpolation;

[0091] White balance correction;

[0092] Edge enhancement;

[0093] Aspect ratio control by selecting pixel detectors to be used in
producing sub-images;

[0094] Aspect ratio control by cropping or stretching taken sub-images;

[0095] Anti-aliasing of images;

[0096] Vignetting correction;

[0097] Combining of subsequent images for high dynamic range imaging; and

[0098] Bayer reconstruction filtering;

[0099] Chromatic aberration correction;

[0100] Dust effect compensation;

[0101] Downscaling of second image region or foreground image e.g. for
viewfinder use;

[0102] Defining individual pixel detectors for image capture for focused
reading of only those pixels that are needed for desired first regions;
and

[0103] Defining individual lines of pixels for image capture for focused
reading of only lines of pixels needed for desired first regions.

[0104] The data 344 comprises, for example, cropping data that defines
corners of each first image region or sub-image that is desired to be
captured. The cropping data is received, according to an example
embodiment, through the interface 280 from the host processor 210.

[0105] It is understood that there are various different implementations
according to different example embodiments for the apparatus 200 as well
as for the camera module 260. For instance, the apparatus 200 can be
provided with an image accelerator configured to process information
received from the interface 280 that otherwise would be performed by the
host processor 210 or by the camera processor 330. Moreover, either or
both of the host processor 210 and of the camera processor 330 can be
implemented using one or more processors.

[0106]FIG. 4 shows an example of concurrent four first imaging regions,
i.e. first to fourth primary imaging regions 410 to 440, respectively,
for image capture by the image sensor. Three of the first imaging regions
are aligned along common lines of pixels or image segments. The second
and third imaging regions 420, 430 have an overlapping region 425. As
shown by numbers on the right-hand side of each line of pixels, there are
lines with 0 to 3 different regions. FIG. 4 also shows a second imaging
region 450 that is the background or remainder of the image area of the
image sensor 464. While FIG. 4 shows four first imaging regions, there
are example embodiments which support only one, two, three or more than
four first imaging regions.

[0107] In an example embodiment, different imaging regions may differ such
that some imaging regions can be recorded as still images some other
imaging regions can be recorded as video images or still images of
different spatial resolution. In video imaging, according to one example
embodiment, the spatial resolution is adjusted to produce video images of
desired size in horizontal and vertical pixels. In still imaging, the
spatial resolution is also adjusted in one example embodiment to produce
images of desired image size. The adjustment of the spatial resolution
can be performed by downscaling or upscaling imaging regions using any of
the known techniques such as skipping pixels, averaging pixels,
interpolating pixels, replicating pixels and edge enhancing.

[0108] In one example embodiment, the processing of the pixel signals is
directed to only lines of pixel detectors with image regions to be
captured during one imaging period. The term imaging period refers here
to the exposure time of the imaging sensor. The imaging period may be
also shorter than normal exposure period. The images can be formed by
combining subsequent images for acquiring the desired imaging regions.

[0109] In one example embodiment, the entire image is always digitized
i.e. analog-to-digital converted. In another example embodiment, the
entire image is first digitized with reduced spatial resolution: for
instance, only each second or third line of pixels is converted to
digital form. For producing of a second imaging region, the entire image
is down-sampled in one example embodiment. In one example embodiment,
some pixels are skipped along lines of pixels on producing the entire
image. In this way, a coarse image is obtained e.g. for display on a
viewfinder when the user is not taking a photograph of any region of
interest. Also, it is possible to use an image sensor with too many
pixels for the speed of analog-to-digital conversion and/or for the speed
of data transfer over the camera interface 280, when only selected pixel
detectors are actually read.

[0110] In one example embodiment, when the data transfer speed suffices,
one or more of the imaging regions are captured at the maximum data rate
enabled by the exposure time and the speed of the image sensor and the
resulting images are transferred over the camera interface 280. For
example, let us assume a 50 Mpixel image sensor and the imaging regions
using only 20% of the image sensors total pixel detectors. Assuming that
the camera interface 280 is capable of transferring 20 Mpixels at a rate
of 5 times a second, the same camera interface 280 can be used to
transfer the imaging regions of interest 10 times a second. Or, all the
pixels produced by the image sensor could only be transferred at a rate
of 2 times per second.

[0111] In an example embodiment, an entire image is obtained from the
image sensor 320 and transferred over the camera interface 280 during a
first period of time with a first duration. Cropped images are
transferred at a second period of time with a second period of time. The
second period of time is shorter than the first period of time. In this
way, an image can be obtained of the entire image area of the image
sensor 320 relatively slowly and cropped smaller images can be obtained
faster.

[0112] In an example embodiment, two or more cropped images are obtained
from the image sensor 320 and transferred over the camera interface 280
for high dynamic range imaging. For instance, the host processor 210 can
request in rapid succession short-exposure cropped images and combine
together for high dynamic range imaging. Some of the successive cropped
images can be defined for different image area e.g. to better image
darker areas in a combined image.

[0113] Embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in
software, hardware, application logic or a combination of software,
hardware and application logic. In an example embodiment, the application
logic, software or an instruction set is maintained on any one of various
conventional computer-readable media. In the context of this document, a
"computer-readable medium" may be any media or means that can contain,
store, communicate, propagate or transport the instructions for use by or
in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device,
such as a computer, with one example of a computer described and depicted
in FIG. 4. A computer-readable medium may comprise a computer-readable
storage medium that may be any media or means that can contain or store
the instructions for use by or in connection with an instruction
execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer.

[0114] If desired, the different functions discussed herein may be
performed in a different order and/or concurrently with each other.
Furthermore, if desired, one or more of the above-described functions may
be optional or may be combined.

[0115] Although various aspects of the invention are set out in the
independent claims, other aspects of the invention comprise other
combinations of features from the described embodiments and/or the
dependent claims with the features of the independent claims, and not
solely the combinations explicitly set out in the claims.

[0116] It is also noted herein that while the above describes example
embodiments of the invention, these descriptions should not be viewed in
a limiting sense. Rather, there are several variations and modifications
which may be made without departing from the scope of the present
invention as defined in the appended claims.